A year later, after returning to the Academy, Yue graduated a year earlier than her classmates and though most suspected her family's meddling and influence, Yue knew they didn't bother with her Academy progress all that much. But when she was assigned to the Fourth Division, a hint of doubt began to surface. The Fourth were equally ridiculed by the Yukihiro as the Ichigawa, the members in the Eleventh Division often harassing the healers. Even as she got promoted the 17th Seat a few months later after picking up the most important Kido spells, Isao's disapproving frown quickly squashed down any sense of accomplishment she'd felt. The harassment of her fellow healers was a common, almost daily occurence and though the Yukihiro avoided antagonzing her, Yue still felt the effects.
Her progress in Kido and the Division's ranks was steady and good, despite her colleagues' chilly disposition towards her.Yue gradually realized it wasn't only her name and her connection to their tormentors; having Hakuda as a superior skill to Kido was seen as something of a disgrace, as Kido came above everything else. Naturally, she still trained in Hakuda at her family's dojo daily, but still received the same looks from her clansmen. Having talent for Kido in her family was pretty much the same; disgrace followed. There was no pleasing anyone.
The first hint of her family's meddlesome nature was when she was abruptly called to the Lieutenant's office, informing the young girl that she was being transferred to another Division. For a moment, Yue felt relief; had her request to be transferred to the Twelfth Division been accepted? However, she quickly deflated; her destination was the Second, the Division specializing in assassinations and other dishonorable deeds.
The Second, however, was more accepting. Due to her short and slender stature, she was quiet on her feet and quick, her uniform blending in perfectly in the darkness and rendering her invisible. The first time she'd been tasked with a solo assassination as a 15th Seat, Yue could barely do it. It had been a man that had been plotting against the Central 46, bribing servants in the Ichigawa to gain information. Though a noble from the lower families, his house was poorly guarded and Yue had no trouble getting in; minutes later, she stood above the sleeping man, hidden in the shadows that spanned across the room. Had he been awake, he'd have noticed the shadow that loomed over him for almost half an hour, visibly upset. However, after slitting his throat clean open, severing the arteries and his trachea, she plunged the tanto in between his eyes and into his brain, afterwards fleeing the scene leaving no trace, still upset.
Despite the Damage Control Corps-Commander's approval, Yue was still visibly shaken at her actions. Once home, she fidgeted about for quite a while until, unsure of what she was doing, left the compound and found herself standing in front of Akimoto-sensei's Dojo. It was after hours so unless he was training, Kouta probably wouldn't be very busy. That had been the first time she'd visited him after their ordeal. She didn't tell him about what she'd done; she hadn't come for consolation.
As she progressed up the ranks of the Second Division, Yue visited Kouta more frequently, getting closer to him in the process. He was more of a brother to her than anyone in the Yukihiro House, someone she could confide in without worry. Their time apart only drew her closer to him, his cold demeanour not fazing her in the least. He was like a shield that could keep her grounded, even sane.
By the time she was a Lieutenant, Kouta was no different from an older brother to her and Yue never failed to greet him with a hug, wrapping her arms around him and drawing him closer as a way of saying 'hello'. Even as she physically grew and matured, no thoughts of it being awkward crossed her mind and, hearing no complaints from Kouta, she continued to show her affection for the man.
It was strange, physical touch. It wasn't bad, no. His father didn't offer much physical contact outside the Dojo and his mother was busy and possibly just as stern as he. He was used to showing love by appearing strong. Hugging was foreign to him, but he couldn't deny the comfort and warmth it provided. Sometimes he would find himself grasping onto her a little tighter or a little longer than usual.
_____________________________
"What?!"
"You're getting married and that's final. And don't say 'what', that's incredibly rude and disgraceful. You've been taught to say 'pardon me', so utilize it." Isao didn't look up from his paperwork. Even without looking up, he could tell Yue was shocked and distressed.
Yue shook her head, unable to believe it. It was so abrupt, out of the blue - it had to be a joke. But Isao was never one for jokes. "But... I can't. I'm not ready for marriage.' Though her appearance was now sixteen, Yue's problems didn't end there. Marriage meant getting pregnant and having children, which meant she couldn't be a Shinigami anymore. Inwardly, Yue suspected he'd noticed a growth spurt she herself hadn't took note of. "I'm just about to be promoted to Captain, you can't do this, Otou-sama." Her voice took on a pleading note, but it went unheeded.
"That doesn't matter. You're getting engaged tomorrow evening and the wedding will take place a year from now. Give up on that silly dream of yours and focus on what matters." Isao's voice was cold and sharp, holding no compassion for the girl whose world was slowly cracking at the edges.
Days, weeks and months of arguing ensued. Yue had finally snapped and had a nervous breakdown, refusing to show up to any ceremony and leaving her fiancé-to-be hanging more than once. She'd argued ardently against the marriage and several months later, Isao finally relented and allowed her one condition; the marriage was to take place 200 years from now - seeing no other way out, Yue agreed. A week later, Isao and Kazuhiro overlooked the engagement ceremony as Ryuusei slid the ring on her finger.
Yue had left the room in tears, trying to keep others from seeing her break down. It didn't matter that she wasn't dressed appropriately for leaving the compound, wearing only a thin summer yukata despite the oncoming winter and chilly air. Her feet took her out of the compound and towards Kouta; she honestly didn't know who to go to. He seemingly hadn't sensed her approaching and as Yue stood behind him, she spoke, her voice shaking slightly, "Nii-san?" Approaching his form, Yue slid her arms around his neck, her long hair spilling over their shoulders. She fought hard to keep the tears at bay but as the seriousness of the situation came crashing down around her, they escaped and slid down her cheeks.
Kouta bent down so she could reach him without too much effort. He gently caressed her sides and back with his large arms. "Yue," he whispered to her, attempting to sound comforting for the obviously distraught girl. "Why are you crying?"
After a few moments of struggling to pull herself together, Yue relaxed into the hug. No matter how hard she tried, her lips wouldn't move, her voice wouldn't work. Unable to form coherent words for a while, Yue tried to steady her uneven breathing. She didn't even want to say the words aloud; it seemed like if she did, it'd cement the whole thing into place. Kouta's very presence managed to calm her down after a while and she took a shaky breath. "I'm engaged." Those two words brought on a fresh wave of tears that Yue struggled to keep in. "He's marrying me off to the Ichigawa family."